J^ew Disease in Wheat. 125 



this distemper was three years ago, it continues with a 

 much greater spread. Its ravages are to be dreaded. 

 To prevent this disease is the great desire of your 



Respectful friend, 



Z. HoLLINGSWORTH, 



Dr. J. Mease. 



Belaxvare Mills, Ithy e>th mp, 1807.. 

 Esteemed Friend, 



I have delayed Vv^riting to thee, for the purpose of 

 ascertaining the cause of the disorder that prevails in 

 some parts of the country in the present crop of wheat, 

 especially at Elkton, Cecil county, Maryland. Zebulon 

 HoUings worth informs me, that he lost 25 acres last year 

 with this disease, and his present crop is considembly 

 affected in spots especially in rich places, where old 

 buildings or fodder houses have stood, and such places 

 as have been manured with scrapings, (as he terms it.) 

 He has sent me several bunches with the soil about 

 the roots, for examination. I fnid the principal root that 

 was first formed from the seed grain, to be injured as if 

 done by an insect, and I have likewise found a single 

 t^g on said root, but in a tender state. The root ap- 

 pears tainted and the shoots spring therefrom ; such as 

 are turning yellow break off upon a slight touch, and 

 other buds putting out to form more stalks, though 

 none of them have strength to come to perfection ; the 

 principal root being gone, the support depends on the 

 fibrous ones issuing out above, and consequently never 

 can come to a head, or if a small head should form, can- 



